ZKPs and Quantum Computing: Formidable Allies for Lightyear Innovations

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and Quantum Computing are two phenomenal discoveries in the advancement of technology and great solutions for absolute data privacy and security, higher processing power, and faster transactions.

While ZKPs are heavily embraced in the blockchain realm for scaling, there are several stereotypes of Quantum Computing being the "blockchain destroyer,” considering the adverse effect it could potentially have on the cryptographic technology. However, on a broader spectrum, Quantum Computers possess unparalleled processing power to perform massive calculations at unimaginable speeds, and this ability can be harnessed to improve and boost blockchain technology.

Sandwishing ZKP and Quantum Computing can create a force whose magnitude will be felt way beyond the realm of blockchain technology to accommodate state-of-the-art privacy, security, and scalability solutions to an array of industries.

Now think for a moment about the magnitude of the synergy these two giants can create in our world! Think how this can revolutionize our tech space, driving innovations and achieving light-year progress in a decade!

Zero-Knowledge Proofs

The term "Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs)" refers to an interactive scheme where protocols or people in a communication process can prove the ownership or validity of information without revealing the information.

In this process, we have the sender of the message (the "prover") and the receiver of the message (the "verifier").

The prover must prove that the information is true and exists enough to convince the verifier beyond reasonable doubt that the information does exist and can be verified.

Here is an illustration: You and I are in communication, and I tell you I have 100 million dollars stored up somewhere. That is hard to believe, but I will not reveal where the money is stashed. However, I can prove to you that it is enough to get you confident in the veracity of this claim and verify that the information is true without revealing any other information aside from the claim being true.

No, not VOODOO, but ALGORITHMS.

Every ZKP transaction must have these three key ingredients to make it wholesome:

1. Completeness: The prover must be able to honestly prove and convince the verifier through the ZKP protocol with a high probability that the claim is true.
2. Soundness: The ZKP protocol should be able to detect false and true claims with a high probability for a verifier. So, a verifier can only be persuaded that the claim is true if it is true.
3. Zero Knowledge: If the claim is true, the verifier can only verify that it is true but will not, under any circumstance, be given any extra information apart from the fact that the claim does exist.

There are two classes of ZKPs: The Interactive ZKPs and the Non-interactive ZKPs.

In Interactive ZKPs, the verifier maintains an interactive dialogue with the prover, presenting questions and challenges the prover must be able to solve to validate their claims. This is, however, an outdated type of zk-proof as it relates to tech.

For Non-interactive ZKPs, cryptographic algorithms are used instead with in-built parameters that have been agreed upon to verify the validity of a claim. The claim is fed into the algorithms, and the algorithms verify the claim.

Non-interactive ZKPs also have various types, but the most popularly adopted ones are:

• The Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-interactive Argument of Knowledge (zk-SNARK) used in ZCash, zkSync, and Polygon zkEVM.
• The Zero-Knowledge Scalable Transparent Argument of Knowledge (zk-STARK) is used in StarkNet.

ZKPs incorporate encryption techniques such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography or RSA to ensure that information is kept encrypted and secure during data transmission.

This technology is the most feasible and practical solution amidst the data privacy and security concerns in distributed ledger and blockchain technology.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is a new form of advanced scientific computing language that employs the laws of quantum principles and mechanics to break down and solve problems that are too complex or large for traditional computers.

While traditional computers carry out calculations in bits (which are the smallest units of a computer – 0 and 1), quantum computers ditch these classical units and take on superpowers. Quantum computers process data in qubits (i.e., quantum bits), which can be 0 and 1 simultaneously. They carry data in multidimensional quantum states that can exist at the same time.

While a classical computer would measure the state of an object before calculating it, quantum computers would carry out calculations based on the probability of the state of the object before carrying out calculations. Hence, quantum computers are exponentially faster with an unimaginable speed that process data multiple times faster than traditional computers.

A case study is the 53-qubit Sycamore processor developed by Google. This computer processed and completed a data computation in about 200 seconds. By earlier estimations, the same computation would have taken the world’s most powerful supercomputer 10,000 years to complete. Now, that's a boomer!

This technology is capable of disrupting the classical systems of solving, breaking down, and transmitting data above its limit. It is way faster than our average computers with exponential power that can be used to improve everything in the scientific field.

Theoretically, quantum computers are considered a huge threat to today's technological systems. Classic cryptography could be easily eroded by the supercomputing power of quantum computing. Highly sophisticated quantum computers could crack high-end encryptions which would increase the vulnerability of current systems and impact security, privacy, or trust negatively.

Shor's quantum algorithm, published in 1994, has the potential to decrypt and break down the security enforced by most asymmetric cryptography algorithms.

However, putting aside the risks, quantum computing can be used to enhance cybersecurity and data privacy. Because this computing is at the edge of revolutionizing the way data is processed, it can be used to improve technology. Instead of quantum attacks on encryption, it can be used to build new types of encryptions – post-quantum resistance algorithms that are resistant to quantum computer attacks. It can also develop quantum cryptography and improve machine learning algorithms to enable quick detection and prevention of cyber attacks.

Synergising Zero-Knowledge Proofs & Quantum Computing For Advanced Data Privacy & Security in Blockchain.

Zero-knowledge proofs and quantum computing may feel like two distinct technological concepts but when placed side by side, you realize that these two can be knitted together for an improved experience and accelerated innovation in various areas such as:

Data Privacy, Security, and Trust: The purpose of ZKPs is to conceal and protect the vulnerability of data while proving that the data exists. Incorporated into a blockchain, identities, wallet addresses, wallet holdings, and information about transactions can remain very confidential and hidden from the public but verifiable. That way, sensitive data are kept safe and private, and trust is maintained. Quantum computing can additionally contribute to the enhancement of blockchain security. In this case, quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms and protocols are created to protect the system from quantum attacks, which could break the existing cryptographic encryption schemes and compromise the data.

Furthermore, with more development, there is a possibility of quantum-enhanced ZKPs being created. This means that the encryption techniques used to prove and verify a claim can be quantum channels, and this can improve the efficiency and security of the proof.

Scalability: ZKPs is also creating scalable solutions for blockchain users. Using zk-rollups, users from a major blockchain can carry out transactions meant for that chain on another chain with proof of validity/zero knowledge.

A major example is the Polygon zkEVM, which is a zk-rollup for Ethereum. Considering how congested and slow Ethereum is, which is another reason for very high gas fees, Polygon created this roll-up to enable users to conduct transactions meant for Ethereum on Polygons with proof.

The zk-rollup gives users access to faster transaction time and lesser fees while also reducing the load and congestion on Ethereum.

Quantum computing possesses unimaginable processing power and, if integrated into the blockchain, can enhance the processing speed of these chains. Transaction speed can be multiple times faster than the fastest blockchain, hence improving scalability.

Another theory is using quantum interactive proof systems. These are presumably zero-knowledge proofs that allow the prover and the verifier to exchange quantum messages with proof systems that can be based on quantum computational assumptions. With zero knowledge quantum messaging and proofs, transactions become way faster.

Beyond Blockchain

ZKPs and Quantum Computing are not limited to only blockchain. These two powerful technologies are applicable in every industry that exists, and together, they can be a formidable force.

Some instances include:

1. Banking and Finance: Quantum computing can speed up the execution of complex financial algorithms, and with zero-knowledge proofs, it can enable fast and secure verification of transactions without revealing sensitive details. It can prevent counterfeiting and double-spending and enable fast and anonymous transactions.
2. Medicine: The accuracy and privacy of medical diagnosis, treatment, and research can be improved through quantum computing and ZKPs. Quantum computing can enhance the performance of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques and with zero-knowledge proofs, can enable doctors to verify the authenticity and validity of medical records, prescriptions, and test results without exposing the personal information of the patients.
3. Gaming: With other technologies, developers can create more immersive and realistic gaming experiences, as well as prevent cheating and fraud. Quantum computing, which carries out complex calculations, can be used to generate more complex, advanced, and dynamic graphics and AI systems. Combining zero-knowledge proofs, players can prove their identity, achievements, and skills without revealing their strategies, preferences, or personal data.

End Note

Zero-knowledge proofs and quantum computing are key technologies in enabling data privacy and security, trust, and scalability. ZKPs are already an active part of scientific developments in many sectors. Blockchain is a major sector where its strides are mostly seen and felt, and it has become a very reliable solution for scaling blockchain networks.

Quantum computing, on the other hand, still rides on possibilities of implementation. It has been labeled a huge risk to cryptography but also a preferred solution to quantum attacks with quantum encryptions. However, these are theories and hardly practical because only a handful of big corporations in the world own quantum computers, making their rate of research and adoption lower than usual.  This does not curb the fact that quantum computers hold immense potential to reinforce transparency, scalability, security, and privacy in blockchain technology.

As quantum computing continues to develop and the research in quantum-resistant cryptography and post-quantum algorithms progresses, it is essential to understand that it can be quickly adapted into blockchain technology. Furthermore, to enhance and reinforce data privacy and security, both in blockchain and beyond, there is a possibility of quantum computing being integrated with ZKPs.

By combining the inherently privacy-preserving nature of ZKPs with the unparalleled data processing and computation power of quantum computing, blockchain and other technological sectors can keep the data of their users and internal datasets private, have enhanced quantum-encrypted resistant environments for these data, and still have immeasurable transaction speed.

Think of all the sectors in the world; quantum computing and ZKPs can notably impact them positively.